iowasara's Journal, 03 December 2007

Hey lady. I felt the need to tell you that you are not alone in feeling bad about yourself and getting depressed in the winter. What I would like to say is that from all the health and nutrition information that i have gathered over the years, as well as my own personal experience, I have learned one very important thing. In order to lose weight and KEEP it off, you have to eat. Fasting and detoxing occasionally can be helpful to some people but there is no quick fix. You must change your habits for life. You are free to choose any diet you please, but may I share the one i am on. It has worked for me in the past and has helped many people lose weight and overcome those insatible cravings. It is the South beach diet, in which you eat vegetables and lean protein, like chicken, pork tenderloin, turkey bacon,cottage cheese, eggs, nuts, etc. for the first two weeks, then you gradually add in complex carbohydrates like oatmeal, high fiber breads and cereals, yogurt, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta. For sweets you can have sugar free fudgicles and popsicles, sugar free jello, part skim ricotta with splenda and cocoa(YUM like chocolate cheesecake!) and sugar free hard candies and of course diet soda. After the first phase you get to have dark chocolat and red wine occasionally, both of which are good for your health in small quantities. I am a huge advocate of this diet because it encourages a healthy lifestyle, you can lose up to 8-13 pounds in the first two weeks, which is good for motivation, and it is flexible for real life. That said, even if you do not choose this particular diet, I hope you will choose healthy eating over fasting and starving. Maybe you are beginning to see that it is not working? And don't punch me, but I think you are a beautiful person too and I want to see you succeed.Don't Give Up! xxxooo. 

I feel for you girl. About two years ago i felt like I couldnt leave the house. Id actually convinced myself that I looked so awful that I shouldnt inflict myself on anyone adn I was best shut up in the house. Crazy huh? (literally). It took me a long time to realise that it didnt matter how I looked. You are worrying about how you look more than anyone else. You are being your own worst enemy when you should be looking after yourself instead. The winter blues are horrible. Check my journal out, I've blubbed in front of total strangers today. Ive spent about 16 hours in bed a day for the past 3 days, and only got up when necessary. Maybe you need to think about seeing your doctor and getting your head sorted out before dieting? I really think you should see your doctor.  

sorry I sound a bit of a twit there. Its up to you to see your doctor. I just know how hard it is to diet when you have no energy, or when you really really need the comfort of food. It makes your battle so much harder. Yet maybe if you lose weight you would be happier. So its a vicious circle. Anyway, I think you have a gorgeous face, and from your photo you obviously have a sense of humor. Good luck with everything and I really hope you feel better very very soon.  

I TRUELY know what you are talking about... believe me!